Valve and actuator



July 16, 1963 l. 1. TUBBS 3,097,613

- VALVE AND ACTUATOR Filed Aug. 19, 1959 INVENTOR. IE1. Z TUBES BY%-%g United States Patent 3,097,613 VALVE AND ACTUATOR In I. Tubbs, 819 North Ave., Galva, 111. Filed Aug. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 834,835 14 Claims. Cl. 107-14 This invention relates in general to valves and in particular to rubber or plastic valves with actuating means.

As shown in my prior Patent Number 2,585,286 valves have many uses such as in whipped cream cans, shaving soap cans and toothpaste cans wherein a propellant is placed in the can to force the usable substance out in a foam form.

It is an object of this invention to provide a movable actuator for a valve which is movable to a stored position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a valve which may be controlled in a simple and positive manner.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide valve actuators which are interchangeable to obtain various decorative effects.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision for a rubber valve with actuators that may be easily operated and which may be stored in a manner so that positive control of the valve is maintained.

Further features, advantages and objects will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in view of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the valve of the invention with the actuator in the stored position.

FIGURE 2 is a view with the actuator in the operative position.

FIGURE 3 shows the valve structure.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the valve of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modification of the invention in section.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken at right angles to FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a second modification in section, and;

FIGURE 8 is a Sectional view taken at right angles to FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the top of a can 11 or other container which is formed with an opening through which a portion 12 of a rubber valve extends. The opening through the can is small enough that it tends to compress the portion 12 so as to tightly close a slit 14 (see FIGURE 4) through the valve.

The portion of the valve above the cam relative to FIGURE 1 is outside the can, not shown whereas the portion 13 is inside the can.

As best shown in FIGURE 4 the slit 14 joins an enlarged opening 15 in the portion 13. An enlarged opening 16 extends through the upper portion of the valve and connects with slit 14. A transverse slot 17 extends from the side of the valve above the can to the central opening 16. A T-shaped groove formed with a vertical portion 19 and a horizontal portion 18 is formed in the edge of the valve so that the outlet of slot 17 falls in the horizontal portion 18.

An actuator 21 of metal or other suitable material is formed into a strip and is inserted into the valve so that it extends through slot 17, the lower portion of central opening 16, the slit 14 and the opening 15.

The actuator is formed with a curved handle 22 at its outer end which connects to a first straight portion 23. A relatively short second straight portion 24 forms a right angle with portion 23. A third straight portion 26 joins portion 24 at a right angle and is parallel to portion 23. A fourth straight portion 27 joins portion 26 and is parallel to portion 24.

In operation, FIGURE '1 illustrates the actuator in the stored position. The portion 27 lies inside the can parallel to the can top 11. The portion 26 extends up through the slit 14. However, the can top 11 compresses portion 12 of the valve so that none of the contents of the can pass through the slit. The portion 24 is in slot 17 and the portion 23 extends up through groove 19. The handle 22 fits over the end of opening 16 and a very compact and neat package results.

In use, the handle 22 is pushed downwardly and outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 2. This may be easily done by the users thumb. In this position the portion 23 will lie parallel to the can top, the portion 24 will be outside of the valve, portion 26 will pass through slot 17, and portion 27 will extend through slit 14. By moving handle sideways, the strip 27 will open slit 14 so that the contents of the can will pass through opening 15, slit 14 and opening 16 to the outside of the can. Thus, positive control of the amount of the contents released may be easily maintained by regulating the side motion of the handle 22. After the user has removed .a suflicient amount of the contents, he may either leave the actuator in the position shown in FIGURE '2, or he may move it to the position shown in FIGURE 1 by pressing upwardly and toward the valve on the handle 22.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of the invention. A can top 30 has an opening formed therein with an upwardly extending rim 31. A rubber valve has a lower portion 41 within the container and an upper portion 42 outside the container. The rim 31 compresses a reduced cross-section portion 43 of the valve. A central opening extends through the valve and comprises a relatively large lower opening 44, a slit 48 through the portion 43 and an upper opening 47 through upper portion 42 of the valve.

A groove '46 is formed in lower portion 41 about the opening 44 to allow a tube to be connected to the valve. A tube is desired if the container is to be held right side up during use in that the tube extends to the bottom of the can and allows the can to be emptied. If the can is to be inverted when used, no tube is needed.

An actuator 32 of plastic or other suitable material fits over the top portion 42 of the valve and has a lip 33 that holds it to the valve. The upper portion 34 of the actuator is formed with an opening 36 from which the contents of the can emerge. A strip .37 extends down through opening 47 and through slit 48.

An arm 38 is attached to the actuator and has a portion 39 that engages the top of the can.

In use, the contents of the can may be released by moving the arm 38 from its rest position. This deforms the plastic slit 48 thus forming an opening so that the contents of the can pass through slit 43, opening 47 and opening 36. When the arm is released, it will return to the center and locked position due to the resiliency of the rubber. The rim 31 compresses and seals the slit 48 and strip 37.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a further modification comprising a rubber valve which is mounted in the top 50 of a can that has an opening with a rim 51. The lower portion 53 of the valve has an opening 56. A reduced portion 54 has a slit '57 which is held shut by the rim 51 compressing portion 54 and slit 57.

The upper portion 52 of the valve has a central opening 58. A detachable plastic actuator 59 has a lower portion 60 that fits over portion 52 of the valve. A strip 62 is attached to a handle 64 which extends through the wall of the actuator. The strip passes down through opening 58, slit 57 and opening 56 so that its lower end 63 is within the confines of the container.

The upper portion 61 of the actuator 59 is formed to produce a decorative pattern on the whip cream or other substance from the can. Thus, a number of actuators 59 might be kept by the housewife, or ice cream fountain operator and a particular one selected which produces a desired pattern. The strip 62 is inserted into the slit of the valve and the handle 64 rotated to open the slit and allow the contents of the can to be released. The lower edge 68 of the actuator seals with portion 52 of the valve so that the contents come out through decorative opening formed in portion 61. After use, the actuator handle is released and the natural resiliency of the rubber will rotate the strip 62 to a position where the slit is no longer deformed and the valve will be closed.

It is seen that this invention provides valves and valve actuators of simple and cheap construction. Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is not to be so limited as changes and modifications are within the full intended scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A valve for a container comprising, a resilient body extending through an opening formed in the container and compressed thereby, a slit formed through the resilient body and extending from the inside to the outside of the container, a hollow cylindrical-shaped member receivable over the outer portion of the resilient body and formed with an opening from which the contents of the container may pass, a strip shaped member attached to the inside of the cylindrical-shaped member and receivable within the slit of the resilient body to open and close the valve, and a handle for turning the cylindrical-shaped member.

2. In apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the opening in the cylindrical-shaped member is formed so as to produce a decorative effect on the contents of the container as they are discharged.

3. In apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said handle extends from one side of the cylindrical-shaped member.

4. In apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said handle extends through the cylindrical shaped member and extends on either side thereof.

5. In apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient body has a groove and the cylindrical-shaped member has a lip which is receivable within the groove to hold the valve and actuator together.

6. A valve and actuator comprising, a body of resilient material, a container formed with an opening through which the body of resilient material extends and is compressed thereby, a central opening formed through the body and said body formed with a transverse slot which communicates with the central opening, an actuator which extends through the transverse slot and extends down through the central opening into the container formed of strip-shaped material, and the actuator movable from a first position wherein the central opening is closed to a second position wherein the portion of the central opening which is compressed by the container is opened.

7. In apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the portion of the central opening which is compressed by the container is a slit.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising, an exterior longitudinal groove formed in the body near the opening of the transverse slot, said actuator formed with a handle and said handle movable in the exterior groove and the actuator movable to a biased position relative to the body.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said actuator may be moved to an inactive position.

10. In apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said actuator has a first straight portion which extends through the transverse slot, a second straight portion connected to the first portion and formed into a right angle relative thereto, said second portion extending through the compressed portion of the central opening, and the valve opened by moving the first straight portion from the first to second position.

11. In apparatus according to claim 10 wherein a third relatively short straight portion is connected to the end of the first straight portion opposite the end to which the second straight portion is connected, said third straight portion being parallel to the second straight portion and extending in the same direction from the first straight portion, a fourth straight portion attached to the end of the third straight portion and parallel to the first straight portion, and said actuator movable from a first position wherein it is active to open and close the valve to a second stored position wherein the actuator may be inserted further into the valve so that the first straight portion extends into the longitudinal slit of the valve, and the third straight portion extends through the transverse slot, and the fourth straight portion extends upwardly along the valve body.

12. In apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a handle is formed on the outer end of the fourth straight portion.

13. In apparatus according to claim 11 a T-shaped groove is formed in the body of the valve adjacent the outlet of the transverse slot and the fourth straight portion receivable in a vertical portion of the T-shaped groove when the actuator is in the stored position.

14. A valve and actuator comprising a valve body with reduced cross section portion receivable through an opening in a container, a slit formed in the valve body, a stripshaped actuator mounted in the slit in the valve body, said actuator comprises a hollow cylindrical member with a strip extending downwardly from the inside thereof and formed with a handle for rotating the actuator, an open ing formed in the top portion of the actuator to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and said actuator receivable over a portion of the valve body with the strip inserted into the slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,580,188 Nilsen Dec. 25, 1951 2,860,820 Falligant Nov. 18, 1958 2,872,152 Budwig Feb. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 834,140 France Aug. 8, 1938 140,887 Australia Apr. 20, 1951 

1. A VALVE FOR A CONTAINER COMPRISING, A RESILIENT BODY EXTENDING THROUGH AN OPENING FORMED IN THE CONTAINER AND COMPRESSED THEREBY, A SLIT FORMED THROUGH THE RESILIENT BODY AND EXTENDING FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CONTAINER, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL-SHAPED MEMBER RECEIVABLE OVER THE OUTER PORTION OF THE RESILIENT BODY AND FORMED WITH AN OPENING FROM WHICH THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER MAY PASS, A STRIP SHAPED MEMBER ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE CYLINDRICAL-SHAPED MEMBER AND RECEIVABLE WITHIN THE SLIT OF THE RESILIENT BODY TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE VALVE, AND A HANDLE FOR TURNING THE CYLINDRICAL-SHAPED MEMBER.
 2. IN APPARATUS ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1 WHEREIN THE OPENING IN THE CYLINDRICAL-SHAPED MEMBER IS FORMED SO AS TO PRODUCE A DECORATIVE EFFECT ON THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER AS THEY ARE DISCHARGED. 